1 . The African penguin is expected to go extinct in the wild in just over a decade, given its current population decline. The main reason is a lack of food caused by disturbance to ocean conditions from global heating and competition from the commercial fishing industry. According to a study, scientists have identified a possible additional cause, one that is an entirely new threat and that further prevents the penguins from finding food: noise pollution from marine (海洋的) ships in a bay.

Since 2016, a new shipping practice has started at Algoa Bay. The bay offers ship-to-ship refueling for ships anchored offshore. Since the start of this practice, marine traffic in the bay has doubled. The number of bulk carriers (散货船) pulling into the bay has increased by ten times as much. Thus the noise levels in the area had doubled and the population of penguins has dropped sharply. High noise levels affect the ability of marine animals to find food, communicate or navigate properly.

Researchers used data from ship identification tools to estimate underwater noise from passing ships. They also attached underwater microphones and accelerometers (感应器) to some of the penguins. Recording the noise will tell researchers what the penguins are hearing, if they’re talking while hunting, if they’re changing their movements in response to noise, and if the noise is drowning out their hunting conversations. This will allow researchers to determine whether the sound disturbance is a direct cause of the penguins’ ongoing difficulties in finding sufficient food.

The study is the first to explore the effects of ocean traffic noise pollution on seabirds and the consequences of offshore shipping activities on underwater noise levels. Experts are considering proposing various global best-practice approaches to reduce some of the impacts of noise pollution, such as policies that limit the number and size of ships allowed into a bay of this kind. “We also need more scientific monitoring of noise, before these measures are put in place and afterward, so that we have a proper understanding of what works.” a researcher said.

1. What is caused by the noise pollution?

A．The penguins’ lack of food.

B．The penguins’ proper navigation.

C．People’s communication disability.

D．The commercial competition.

2. Why did scientists attach microphones to penguins?

A．Because they wanted to study the way of relieving marine traffic pressure.

B．Because they could determine and analyze the source of ocean noise pollution

C．Because it helped to calculate underwater noise levels caused by different ships.

D．Because the impact of ocean on penguins’ hunting behavior could be found.

3. How can the noise pollution be reduced?

A．By exploring the real effects of ocean traffic.

B．By restricting the ships to go into the bay.

C．By banning all the offshore shipping activities.

D．By increasing ship-to-ship refueling activities.

4. What will researchers probably do next?

A．Evaluate the risk of the noise.

B．Establish a monitoring system.

C．Put the measures in place.

D．Try to understand what happens.

2 . Air pollution influences our health in many ways. No air means death. Though we can’t see it, there is air around us. Air is everywhere and it gives a life to every living thing. But bad air makes people ill. In the city, there are a great many people and there are too many cars running on the road. The cars send out bad gases. There are many factories, too. From the chimneys of these factories, we get the smoke usually in black color. Every day we breathe it in and out. This makes us feel sick, when people talk about air pollution ,they are usually thinking about outdoor air pollution. But a lot of air pollution comes from indoor activities such as smoking and cooking. Indoor air pollution can hurt people’s eyes, noses and throats. So air pollution, both indoors and outdoors, can also lead to lung cancer and heart disease.

Everyone should help to fight against air pollution. In order to keep us healthy, we have to go out to the countryside to breathe more fresh air. Or we can climb up hills to get more fresh air.

1. what is this article about?

A．air pollution

B．water pollution

C．noise pollution

D．environment pollution

2. What can make people ill?

A．Many factories

B．Bad air

C．The cars

D．Going out to the countryside

3. Indoor air pollution comes from ________

A．bad gas from he cars

B．black smoke from the chimneys of these factories

C．smoking and cooking

D．air pollution

4. Which of the following is not true?

A．No air means death.

B．air pollution can lead to lung cancer and heart disease.

C．Only scientist should help to fight against air pollution.

D．we have to go out to the countryside to breathe more fresh air.

5. Which of the following is true?

A．A Little air pollution comes from indoor activities such as smoking and cooking

B．Bad air never makes people ill.

C．Air pollution influences our health in few ways

D．we can climb up hills to get more fresh air.